Black Belt - Continuous Improvement Manager

Neogen; Lexington (KY); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

401(k) with Company Match

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Career Growth & Development

Job summary

Neogen, a global science and technology company focused on food safety, is seeking a Black Belt-Continuous Improvement Manager for its Lexington, KY operations. You will lead enterprise-wide Lean Six Sigma initiatives, partnering with Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, and Engineering to drive measurable improvements in PSQDC across sites worldwide, including coaching teams and scaling best practices.

You will guide problem-solving, establish robust measurement systems, and travel 30-50% to

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related field
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification from a recognized institution or comparable program
• 7-10 years of progressive experience leading Lean Six Sigma or Continuous Improvement initiatives in manufacturing
• Demonstrated ability to diagnose operational issues and deliver measurable improvements
• Strong change-management, communication, facilitation, and stakeholder-engagement skills
• Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally approximately 30-50%

Responsibilities

• Lead enterprise-wide Lean Six Sigma and Continuous Improvement initiatives focused on sustainability, standardization, and measurable business impact
• Partner with senior leaders to identify and prioritize high-impact improvement opportunities across Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, and Engineering
• Apply structured problem-solving, data analysis, and root-cause methodologies to improve throughput, quality, service, and cost
• Establish measurement systems and indicators to baseline and sustain results
• Coach, mentor, and develop Green Belts, interns, and co-op students while supporting CI training and capability building
• Support knowledge sharing and scalable best practices across Neogen sites globally
• Travel as business needs require to deliver milestones and share practices

Job description

Come Be Part of a Mission that Matters!About NeogenNeogen advances human and animal well-being through science and technology to help fuel a brighter future for global food security. Our solutions span Food Safety, Livestock, and Pet Health & Wellness, serving customers in more than 140 countries. Across laboratories, manufacturing sites, customer teams, and corporate functions, our work is connected by a common purpose: helping customers protect what matters in the global food system.The OpportunityThis is more than just a job. It’s a global mission.As Black Belt - Continuous Improvement Manager, you will help shape how Neogen operates across its global manufacturing and business operations. You will identify high-impact opportunities, lead complex cross-functional initiatives, establish measurement systems, and deliver sustainable improvements in people, safety, quality, delivery, and cost (PSQDC).You will join Neogen's growing Continuous Improvement function and partner with leaders across Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, Engineering, and other business functions. This role is a strong fit for a hands-on change leader who enjoys solving complex operational problems, developing people, and scaling practical solutions across sites and cultures.What You'll DoLead enterprise-wide Lean Six Sigma and Continuous Improvement initiatives focused on sustainability, standardization, and measurable business impact.Partner with senior leaders across Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, Engineering, and other functions to identify and prioritize high-impact improvement opportunities.Apply structured problem-solving, data analysis, and root cause methodologies to improve operational efficiency, throughput, quality, service, and cost.Establish clear measurement systems and performance indicators to baseline performance, monitor progress, and sustain project results.Serve as a change leader and global CI resource, coaching and influencing stakeholders from shop-floor teams through executive leadership.Coach, mentor, and develop Lean Six Sigma Green Belts, junior staff, interns, and co-op students while supporting formal CI training and capability building.Support knowledge sharing, standard work, and scalable best practices across Neogen sites in the United States, Latin America, Europe, and Asia Pacific.Deliver project outcomes aligned with strategic goals across people, safety, quality, delivery, and cost (PSQDC), with global travel as business needs require.What Success Looks LikeHigh-impact CI projects deliver measurable, sustained improvements aligned with Neogen's strategic and operational priorities.Leaders and site teams use clear measures, standard work, and structured problem-solving to sustain improvements after implementation.Productive partnerships are established across functions, sites, and regions, enabling solutions to be shared and scaled globally.Green Belts, junior team members, interns, and co-op students build stronger Continuous Improvement capability through effective coaching and mentorship.What You BringBachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related technical field.Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification from a recognized institution or a comparable company-sponsored certification program.7-10 years of progressive experience leading and implementing Lean Six Sigma or Continuous Improvement initiatives in a manufacturing environment.Demonstrated success diagnosing operational issues and delivering measurable, sustainable performance improvements through structured problem-solving and root cause analysis.Strong change-management, communication, facilitation, and stakeholder-engagement skills, with the ability to influence across functions, organizational levels, and cultures.Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally approximately 30%-50%.Work Environment & Physical RequirementsThis is an on-site role based in Lexington, Kentucky, with regular collaboration across manufacturing and business functions. The position requires global travel approximately 30%-50% to support Neogen sites across the U.S., Latin America, Europe, and Asia Pacific. Reasonable accommodations may be available for qualified individuals with disabilities.Helpful, not required: experience in food safety, animal safety, biotechnology, regulated life sciences manufacturing, GMP/FDA/EU environments, or lab-based production settings; an MBA or formal business/operations management training; experience developing formal training programs; and Spanish or other second-language skills.Why NeogenBenefits IncludeBenefits Starting on Day One – Medical, dental, and vision coverage begin on your first day of employment.401(k) with Company Match – Build toward your future with retirement savings and company contributions.Paid Time Off (PTO) – Take time to rest, recharge, and spend time with those who matter most.Career Growth & Development – Continue building your expertise through challenging projects, professional development, and opportunities to grow within the organization.Global Impact – Partner with colleagues across Neogen's worldwide operations and help shape improvements that extend beyond a single site or function.Meaningful Work – Contribute to an organization focused on protecting the world's food supply.Collaborative Culture – Work alongside teams that value innovation, respect, accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvementHow We Work at NeogenOur Neogen DNA is reflected in how we work with customers and with one another. We cultivate belonging, inspire and innovate, act with integrity, deliver on our promises, and foster optimism. Those values matter whether the work happens on a production line, in a lab, with a customer, or in an executive leadership meeting.A Fair Opportunity to ContributeIf this work matches your skills and the contribution you want to make, we encourage you to apply even if your background does not follow a traditional path. We value relevant capability, learning, and experience gained in different ways.Neogen is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to legally protected characteristics under applicable federal, state, and local laws. Reasonable accommodations may be available for qualified individuals with disabilities.Employment with Neogen is contingent upon the successful completion of all applicable pre-employment requirements, which may include a background check and drug screening, as permitted by law. All employees must also provide documentation establishing identity and authorization to work in the United States and complete Form I-9 in accordance with federal law.Come build your future with us while making a difference every day.#ApplynowWHO IS NEOGEN:From farm to fork, we offer solutions to enhance the quality, quantity and safety of the global food supply. Our animal safety solutions are used on farms, veterinary practices and manufacturers around the world to provide the best animal care possible. Whether food or pharmaceuticals, Neogen’s provides a one-stop shop for the health and safety to our animals and our customers operations.Neogen’s culture combines stability with a deep belief in providing professional and personal growth. Our Pillars of Trust — the principles that guide our everyday decision-making, include Openness, Honesty, Credibility, Respect, and Service. It’s our belief in these characteristics that provides a consistent, happy and healthy work environment for our employees.